Tag: Tyler Booker

3 Guards the Seahawks could target at No. 18 overall in 2025 NFL Draft

3 Guards the Seahawks could target at No. 18 overall in 2025 NFL Draft

The Seattle Seahawks need to upgrade their offensive line this offseason, particularly across the interior. Veteran left guard Laken Tomlinson played poorly on an expiring contract and isn’t expected to return. Connor Williams abruptly retired midseason and sophomore blocker Olu Oluwatimi was unexpectedly inserted into the lineup at center. The right guard position was arguably worse of all, with three rookies and sophomores (Anthony Bradford, Sataoa Luamea, and Christian Haynes) all failing to maximize opportunities.

John Schneider must acquire a guard capable of playing high-level football right away this offseason. The Seahawks own the No. 18 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. Guard should be their highest offseason priority. We’ve identified three interior blockers they could potentially target with that pick.

Will Campbell, LSU

Will Campbell played offensive tackle for the LSU Tigers, but many scouts and analysts are projecting him to play guard at the next level. The Seahawks are tasked with assessing his positional versatility throughout this process. If the conclusion is that Campbell is better positioned for success at the guard, the Seahawks should feel comfortable drafting him at 18.

Tyler Booker, Alabama

Tyler Booker may be the most natural first-round guard available. With no questions over his future position, Booker has been a highly effective phone-booth blocker for the Alabama Crimson Tide. He overwhelms opponents with raw power and strength. Considering power has been an issue for the Seahawks’ guards in pass protection, this would represent a welcomed change of pace.

Kelvin Banks Jr., Texas

Kelvin Banks Jr. is another first-round prospect facing positional questions. The Texas Longhorns tackle may be a better fit to block on the interior due to questionable foot speed and balance issues. If Banks Jr. plays guard, he’d represent a better option than current in-house candidates Bradford and Laumea.

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Texans add two SEC standouts from Senior Bowl in ESPN mock draft

The Texans continue to shore up their trenches with the addition of two former SEC stars.

Death, taxes and trench depth seem to be the top needs for the Houston Texans this upcoming draft season after another underwhelming finish to the 2024 season.

Is that the plan when on the clock in the first two rounds of April’s NFL draft? According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, there’s no other way to turn.

With the 25th overall pick, the Texans shore up their offensive line with the addition of Alabama All-American Tyler Booker. After allowing one sack in two years, Booker should help cut that number in half after the two-time defending AFC South champions allowed 54 sacks last season.

“Booker earned A-plus grades for work ethic and drive from the coaches and scouts I spoke to at the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl. He’s also a really good football player,” Miller wrote. “The 6-foot-4, 325-pound lineman is a mauler in the run game, with great initial power in his hands and the lower-body drive to move defenders out of gaps.

“The Texans’ interior protection was a mess in 2024, which was a huge factor in quarterback C.J. Stroud‘s sophomore slump. They allowed 54 sacks, tied for third in the NFL. Investing early draft picks in long-term solutions up front has to be on the front office’s wish list. Booker is a dream fit.”

With the No. 58 overall pick, Houston bolsters its defensive line with former All-SEC defensive tackle Deone Walker from Kentucky. Despite an underwhelming 2024 season in Lexington, Walker was a standout for the Big Blue Wall defense in 2023.

“Fixing the trenches is the theme of this draft in Houston. Walker played through a back injury in 2024 that has to be monitored, but he’s nearly 6-foot-8 and 350 pounds with great pass-rush tools,” Miller wrote. “He had 7.5 sacks in 2023 before falling to 1.5 this past season.”

The Texans own six picks currently in the upcoming draft.

49ers tackle 4 key needs in 3-round mock draft

In Athlon Sports’ latest three-round mock draft, the San Francisco 49ers tackle a series of key needs.

Athlon Sports’ Luke Easterling unveiled his latest three-round 2025 NFL mock draft on Thursday morning.

Easterling’s latest mock sees the San Francisco 49ers address a series of key needs.

While former Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks has been a trendy projected first-round selection for the 49ers, Easterling forecasts San Francisco to head in a different direction up front with their first-round pick.

Easterling has San Francisco drafting former Alabama guard Tyler Booker with the No. 11 overall selection.

Here’s Easterling’s full list of 49ers picks in his latest mock draft. Plus, a more detailed look at each below:

49ers’ projected draft picks per Easterling

  • First Round (No. 11 overall): Alabama IOL, Tyler Booker
  • Second Round (No. 43 overall): Ohio State EDGE, Jack Sawyer
  • Third Round (No. 75 overall): Virginia Tech CB, Dorian Strong
  • Third Round (No. 99 overall): Ohio State S, Lathan Ransom

Alabama IOL, Tyler Booker

Booker is quite the specimen on the inside. The 6-foot-5, 325 pound mauler was recognized as a first-team All-American by both CBS Sports and USA TODAY Sports for his efforts during the 2024 season.

Booker earned SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week honors three times last season in games against Missouri, LSU and Auburn. Booker’s football IQ is high and he looks like a high-floor selection with upside to morph into a perennial All-Pro staple on the 49ers’ interior.

The New Haven, Conn., product made 37 appearances and started 27 games at Alabama. Booker earned an 86.5 pass blocking grade with the Crimson Tide last season per Pro Football Focus. Booker arrived in Tuscaloosa, Ala., as a four-star signee in the 2022 class per 247Sports.

Ohio State EDGE, Jack Sawyer

Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer made one of the biggest plays of the college football season when he stripped the football away from Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers and then scooped it up and raced down the sideline for a game-sealing, 83-yard defensive score in the College Football Playoff semifinals.

Sawyer finished his final season in Columbus with 59 tackles, nine tackles for loss, nine sacks, eight quarterback hurries, six pass breakups, three forced fumbles, three fumble recoveries and one interception. The 6-foot-5, 260 pound defensive end tallied 138 tackles, 25.5 tackles for loss and 20 sacks during his Buckeye career.

Sawyer was Ohio State’s highest-graded defensive player per PFF with an overall defensive grade of 90.5. PFF credited Sawyer with an astounding 64 total pressures last season.

Virginia Tech CB, Dorian Strong

Virginia Tech cornerback Dorian Strong would bring a wealth of playing experience to San Francisco. Strong appeared in 53 games and started 44 over his five years with the Hokies, including 25 starts over the past two seasons.

Strong would also bring a large frame to San Francisco’s secondary. Listed at 6-foot-1, 185 pounds, that height should help covering larger NFL wide receivers on the outside.

Strong totaled 32 tackles, six passes defensed and intercepted a pair of passes last season. The Upper Marlboro, Md., native allowed just 27 receptions on 58 targets during the 2024 season and earned a 73.9 defensive grade from PFF.

Strong earned third-team All-ACC honors in 2023.

Ohio State S, Lathan Ransom

The 49ers use their third-round compensatory pick to go back to that Ohio State well. Ransom garnered an 82.1 defensive grade and a 93.5 run defense grade from PFF last season with the Buckeyes.

Ransom checks in as a 6-foot-1, 210 pound safety. The Tucson, Ariz., product registered 75 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two pass breakups, one interception and one sack last year with the Buckeyes.

The takeaways

San Francisco gets offensive line help that it needs with the top selection of Alabama’s Booker. Booker’s presence should help keep 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy clean as he only surrendered one sack in his three years with the Crimson Tide.

Then, San Francisco turns to the defensive side of the football with its next three selections. The 49ers add Sawyer to help star edge rusher Nick Bosa pressure opposing quarterbacks.

Lastly, the 49ers find potential replacements on the back end for cornerback Charvarius Ward and safety Talanoa Hufanga if the franchise can’t bring back one or both.

Lions attack trenches in latest Draft Wire mock draft

The Lions attack the trenches in the latest Draft Wire mock draft

The Lions had one of the better offensive lines in the NFL last season, as evidenced by two players initially making the Pro Bowl roster and a third being added late, ironically in place of another Lion.

Their defensive line was a solid unit as well, but with free agency coming, the group could stand to continue adding pieces. Same for the offensive line with Kevin Zeitler hitting the open market.

The latest mock draft over at Draft Wire from Curt Popejoy attacks both units in his two-round projections.

First, at No. 28 overall, the Lions go with Ohio State Edge Jack Sawyer. The national championship had a strong season overall, but made his legacy at Ohio State with his fumble return touchdown in the Cotton Bowl semifinal against Texas to secure the Buckeyes’ spot in the National Championship Game.

Sawyer had nine sacks all season. Half of them came in the playoffs — 1.5 vs. Tennessee, two vs. Oregon, one vs. Texas.

With the second-round pick, the Lions go with Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker. With Booker, the Lions would be getting a two-year starter at left guard at Alabama. At the very least, he serves as a depth piece to start. If Zeitler leaves in free agency, Booker can compete for a starting job. He may even crack the lineup if Zeitler stays, as Booker could very well beat out Graham Glasgow.

Seahawks address major need in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Seahawks address major need in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

The Seattle Seahawks currently own the No. 18 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. General manager John Schneider could take that pick in several directions. Most agree the Seahawks’ biggest roster needs occur within the interior of their offensive line.

Left guard Laken Tomlinson played on an expiring contract while failing to provide Geno Smith with adequate protection. Sophomore center Olu Oluwatimi was thrust into action following Connor Williams’ abrupt midseason retirement. The right guard spot was also a season-long weakness, with three different blockers (Anthony Bradford, Christian Haynes, Sataoa Laumea) earning reps.

The Draft Network recently released their latest first-round mock draft. Unsurprisingly, the Seahawks address the guard position, selecting University of Alabama blocker, Tyler Booker.

“The Seattle Seahawks need to drastically improve their run game,” Keith Sanchez wrote.”Over the past couple of years, they’ve spent a significant amount of draft capital on running backs, and it’s time to see a return on that investment. With this pick, the Seahawks draft interior offensive lineman Tyler Booker, a physical player who can flat-out move people in the run game—exactly what the Seahawks need.”

Booker is a mammoth phone-booth blocker. His power and first-step explosiveness would help create rushing lanes for Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet. Booker would be a quality addition to a struggling Seahawks offensive line.

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Three Alabama players among ESPN’s Top 100 ranking from 2024 season

ESPN ranks three Alabama players among their final Top 100 for the 2024 season.

With the 2024 college football season now officially over, ESPN released a list of their Top 100 overall players from this past fall regardless of position, with the Alabama Crimson Tide landing a few names in the ranking.

Among these names listed were some of Alabama’s more prominent players from the 2024 season, some of which were unranked by ESPN to begin the year.

Also included in this were some players who transferred out of Alabama last offseason, but then went on to have one of the best years of their career’s with their respective new team in 2024. These names include: Louisville wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks (No. 96), Ohio State center Seth McLaughlin (No. 82), Ohio State safety Caleb Downs (No. 18)

Here are the Alabama players who made ESPN’s Top 100 during the 2024 season:

Ryan Williams, Wide Receiver

Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Ranking: Unranked to No. 71

After starting the season unranked by ESPN, Williams ended the year at No. 71 nationally. The freshman was Alabama’s most productive wide receiver in 2024, ending the season with 48 receptions for 865 yards and eight scores, while also rushing for two more touchdowns.

Jihaad Campbell, Linebacker

Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Ranking: Unranked to No. 48

Campbell also began the season unranked according to ESPN’s list, but ended the year in the No. 48 spot. The junior linebacker was Alabama’s leading tackler, amassing 117 total with 12 TFL and five sacks.

Tyler Booker, Offensive Line

Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Ranking: No. 31 to No. 47

The final Alabama player mentioned by ESPN was Booker, who was the highest-ranked at No. 47 after beginning the year at No. 31. Booker started at left guard for Alabama, and was one of the nation’s top players at the position.

Mel Kiper’s 1st mock draft has Cardinals adding O-lineman

Considering a pass rusher at No. 16 as a reach with the players available, Kiper projects a guard to the Cardinals in the first round.

It is mock draft season and we know it because ESPN’s Mel Kiper has dropped his first mock draft of the year. While the whole first round’s order has not yet been completely determined, as four teams remain in the playoffs, the first 28 have been and that didn’t impact the Arizona Cardinals, as they finished the season locked into the 16th pick.

In these projections, he wants to get the Cardinals a pass rusher, but his board made that seem like a reach. So he has them filling what might be their second-biggest need at guard. He has them selecting Alabama guard Tyler Booker.

I’d love for Arizona to land a pass rusher here after it finished 26th in pressure rate (28.6%), but the board isn’t cooperating. It’d be a reach to Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr., Marshall’s Mike Green or Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton. General manager Monti Ossenfort is known to trade around in the first round, so maybe he’ll get an offer for the No. 16 pick — someone interested in Ashton Jeanty? — and be able to move back, get an edge rusher and add more picks. But if the Cardinals stay home and things play out like this, I’m eyeing another position.

Arizona might not return guards Will Hernandez or Evan Brown (both free agents), and it has to keep the interior offensive line strong for its run game. Booker might be the best pure guard in the class. He’s strong at the point of attack, and no one gets past him. And he’s rugged in the run game, getting to the second level to clear lanes.

Booker is big and strong. With Hernandez and Brown scheduled to be free agents as well as reserve Trystan Colon, 2024 third-round pick Isaiah Adams is the one guy returning who played. He wasn’t awful but also didn’t prove himself to be great yet.

A pass rusher would be ideal, but if there are better linemen, whether tackles or guards, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to go that route, whether it means having that rookie tackle play guard to start his career.

Get more Cardinals and NFL coverage from Cards Wire’s Jess Root and others by listening to the latest on the Rise Up, See Red podcast. Subscribe on Spotify, YouTube or Apple podcasts.

 

Seahawks avoid splashy pick in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Seahawks avoid splashy pick in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

The Seattle Seahawks’ interior offensive line struggled throughout the 2024 season. Veteran left guard Laken Tomlinson was ineffective while playing on an expiring contract. Starting center Connor Williams abruptly retired midseason and was replaced by sophomore blocker Olu Oluwatimi. Anthony Bradford and Christian Hayes failed to make the right guard position their own.

Starting quarterback Geno Smith deserves better protection next season. General manager John Schneider must identify upgrades this offseason via free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft. The latest first-round projection from The Draft Network does just that.

The Seahawks are scheduled to own the No. 18 overall selection. Mason Johnstone of The Draft Network has Schneider selecting offensive guard Tyler Booker out of Alabama.

“This pick isn’t sexy, but there might not be another player on the board at this point who fits Seattle’s needs more than Tyler Booker,” Johnstone wrote. “An offensive line that struggled to find consistency on the interior now gets one of the most pro-ready interior linemen in the class. Booker pairs rare mass with natural power, similar to his former teammate J.C. Latham. I expect him to have a similar rookie season, becoming a mainstay starter and providing a massive improvement at guard.”

Booker would be plug-and-play for the Seahawks. If placed at left guard, where Seattle possesses an immediate vacancy, the Crimson Tide standout would be a terrific fit next to Charles Cross. Booker would help the Seahawks begin addressing their offensive line woes.

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Texans lean heavy on offense in latest 2025 NFL Mock Draft

Tyler Booker, Xavier Restrepo and Devin Neal are all names Houston Texans fans should remember heading into draft season.

Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker has been a popular pick for the Houston Texans in the first round of mock drafts.

Expect to see his name more as the season dwindles week by week.

In the latest seven-round mock draft from Pro Football Network, the Texans shore up the left guard position with the selection of the Alabama All-American at pick No. 25.

After allowing the third-most sacks this season, everything is about protecting C.J. Stroud for 2025 and beyond. Booker, who allowed two sacks in three seasons, should be a plug-and-play upgrade over the current names on Houston’s roster.

“Booker transformed his body heading into 2024 and his game took the necessary steps along with it,” PFN’s Dalton Miller said. “He’s always played with the requisite violence and natural anchoring ability of a high-end guard, but his body composition aided his athleticism. He’s become a legitimately dominant left guard.”

The Texans have several options at right guard. Shaq Mason could be a cap casualty and cut before the start of free agency. Tytus Howard, who recently shifted over to left guard, could move to the right side if the Texans can rework his contract.

Rookie tackle Blake Fisher also could shift inside should the Texans land a premier right tackle in free agency. Left guard, however, needs a stable option next to five-time Pro Bowler Laremy Tunsil.

“If anybody watched the Texans… (ever???) they’d see that left guard for the Houston Texans might be the most obvious team need in the league,” Miller wrote.

PFN also elected to better the Texans’ receiving corps with Tank Dell expected to miss a majority of the regular season and Stefon Diggs hitting free agency. In the second round, Houston secures a new long-term slot receiver in Miami’s Xavier Restrepo.

“Injuries piled onto the Texans’ WR corps in 2024, and although Tank Dell is an undersized player, he played most of his snaps on the outside for Houston,” Miller wrote. “Restrepo is also “undersized,” but at 190 pounds and with the heart of a lion, the Hurricanes’ WR thrives on physicality as a blocker and pass catcher.

His shifty and manipulative route running will make him a dangerous third-down weapon, but he was also a downfield playmaker for Miami. His ability to freestyle when Ward was running around in the backfield makes him a quarterback’s best friend when the pocket collapses, and he adds value as a blocker in the run game.”

To round out the mock draft, PFN paired Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon with Kansas’ Devin Neal in Round 3. On Day 3, Houston added TCU wide receiver Jack Bech, USC cornerback Jaylon Smith and Georgia defensive tackle Nazir Stackhouse,

Houston currently owns six picks in the upcoming draft after trading away a 2025 second-round pick to the Buffalo Bills for Diggs last offseason.

Two Alabama players featured in ESPN’s 2024 All-America team

ESPN names two Alabama players to 2024 All-American team.

Even though the 2024 college football season didn’t shake out in favor of the Alabama Crimson Tide, it was a great year for the sport. The new 12-team Playoff and a few shocking upsets made for one of the most memorable seasons in recent memory. Heck, Notre Dame who lost a home game to Northern Illinois will be playing for a national championship Monday night.

Alabama finished the year at 9-4 and was the first team to miss the cut for the playoffs. It was a frustrating season as it felt like the Tide had all of the pieces to the puzzle; they just could never get them to all fit. Fortunately, Alabama will return one of the best rosters in the sport in 2025, but a few key departures, such as Tyler Booker and Jihaad Campbell, will be tough to replace.

Campbell and Booker were both outstanding pieces for Alabama this year and will likely be selected in the first two rounds of the 2025 NFL draft. ESPN released their 2024 All-American team where both Booker and Campbell received nominations. Booker was named to their First-Team with Chris Low saying,

“Booker was a powerful blocker in the run game during all three of his seasons at Alabama and was a two-year starter at left guard. He also started one game this season at left tackle. Booker recorded a team-high 87 knockdown blocks and didn’t allow a sack in 715 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He declared for the NFL draft following the Crimson Tide’s bowl game.”

Jihaad Campbell was named to the second team behind Georgia’s Jalon Walker. Campbell finished the year with 119 tackles, 43 more than Deontae Lawson who finished second. He also had 5.0 sacks, forced two fumbles and had one interception.

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